Lake Oswego Police Conduct Underage Alcohol Sale Operation

LAKE OSWEGO – On May 29th, the Lake Oswego Police Department sent underage decoys to twenty-four businesses in Lake Oswego and attempted to purchase alcohol.

During the operation, decoys successfully purchased alcohol from six businesses. Three out of the six times, the decoys were sold alcohol even though they presented their own personal identification which clearly showed they were younger than 21 years old. Three out of the six times, the decoys were never asked for identification. The sales check resulted in a compliance rate of 75 percent which is below the 2013 statewide average of 84 percent.

Businesses are required to request identification from purchasers of alcohol if the purchaser appears to be younger than 26 years old. Businesses can be held accountable if they distribute, sell or otherwise make alcoholic beverages available to a person who is not 21 years old.

Sellers who fail to assure the proper age of the purchaser may be issued a citation for violating Oregon Revised Statute 471.410 – Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor. Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of one year in jail and monetary fines.

The following businesses did not check the decoy’s identification and sold alcohol to the decoy: